There’s no replacing Judy Garland. A Hollywood treasure tragically cut short in her prime, Judy Garland is remembered fondly to this day, with many fans paying tribute to the star in many ways. Some visit her gravesite in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Cemetery. Some perform in live versions of The Wizard of Oz or have plans to see the latest Wicked in theaters this weekend (which wouldn’t exist without Judy making such a hit out of the original).
For Debbie Wileman, paying tribute to Judy Garland is through song and style.
Some might call it impersonation, but it’s so much more than that. Wileman’s talent captures Judy’s quirks, her mannerisms, her vibrato. Check out the “Smile” video below to see it in action; it’s quite fascinating! After going viral for her “Song a Day” series of Garland impressions during the pandemic, catching the attention of producer Scott Stander and famed multi-hyphenate Steve Orich on top of millions of viewers, Wileman is now welcoming the holiday season with tons of ‘Garland’ — ’tis the season for it, after all!
Her third tribute album to date, A Christmas Garland is chock full of holiday cheer, big band energy, and many little Judy-esque moments. Like the 12 days of Christmas, it includes 12 seasonal favorites that transport listeners back to the 30s and 40s — crazy to think we’re approaching the centennial of when these sounds were popular! Which is all the more reason why Wileman’s tribute is worth a spin while you gather around loved ones to commemorate the year’s end.
Now available on all digital outlets, Debbie Wileman is celebrating the album by embarking on a national tour, starting this December 6th and 7th in San Francisco at the American Conservatory Theatre before winding up in Los Angeles on the 28th. For more information or to get your tickets today, see the links below.
Debbie Wileman does Judy Garland – “Smile”
Track listing
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Hard Candy Christmas
- When Do the Words Come True
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
- After the Holidays
- Last Christmas
- Merry Christmas Darling / It Only Happens When I Dance with You
- We Need a Little Christmas (Medley)
- Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Christmas Time Is Here
Stream ‘A Christmas Garland’ album:
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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